Two men who were behind a string of ram raids, including one in Lincolnshire, have been sentenced in court.

Tony Smith, 19, and Charlie Oakley, 26, pleaded guilty to ripping out the ATM using a 4x4 at the Co-op in Main Road, Long Bennington on March 20.

In the hearing at Peterborough Crown Court yesterday, Wednesday, November 7, it was revealed that the pair had been responsible for seven further ram raids at supermarkets and shops in Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Suffolk and Norfolk.

It was heard that each ATM they stole had contained thousands of pounds and had caused £250,000 in damage to the affected businesses.

Read More

The court was told that the duo also stole a number of vehicles such as Land Rovers and Audis, which were used to ram into the storefronts and as get-away cars, reports Cambridgeshire Live.

In total it was revealed they had taken almost £300,000 in the raids that took place over the course of just under seven weeks – and that none of the money had been recovered.

Oakley of George Street, Shefford, Bedfordshire was sentenced to six years in prison for his role in the raids.

Meanwhile, Smith was ordered to serve five years in a youth offenders institute.

Tony Smith, 19, of Schole Road, Willingham, Cambridgeshire was given five years in a youth offenders institute for his part in a series of ram raids including one at a Co-op in Long Bennington (Image: Cambridgeshire Police)

How they were caught by police

The men were arrested in April by officers from the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) during a failed attempt to steal a cash machine from a store in Isleham, Cambridgeshire.

The incident took place on April 17 at the Co-op in Mill Street, Isleham at around 4.35am.

Detective inspector Trevor Davidson, who led the investigation for ERSOU on behalf of forces across the eastern region, said: “This ruthless cross-border crime blitz saw hundreds of thousands of pounds being stolen, not to mention the significant amount of damage caused to the businesses affected, and the multiple vehicles stolen from innocent people across the region.

Charlie Oakley of George Street, Shefford, Bedfordshire was sentenced to six years in prison for his part in a series of ram raids including one at a Co-op in Long Bennington (Image: Cambridgeshire Police)

“This was an incredibly complex investigation due to the large number and geographical span of the offences, but thanks to the hard work and dedication of our officers, and the close working with forces in seven different counties, we have been able to bring these criminals to justice.

“ERSOU is committed to tackling serious and organised criminals and we’re pleased to have been able to put these men behind bars, preventing any future offending from them, and hopefully sending a warning to others that you will not get away with this type of offending in the eastern region.”